Western Red Cedar, Western Arborvitae, Giant Thuya
Thuja plicata

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

A very large evergreen tree. It grows 22-60 m tall and spreads 6-9 m wide. It has a conical shape. The trunk tapers rapidly and is buttressed at the base. At higher altitudes it becomes a small tree. The bark is light reddish brown and peels and flakes off. The main branches spread and droop but turn upwards at the ends. The branches can extend to the ground and cover the trunk. The leaves are bright green with a white cross on the underside. The leaves are flat and make up many small scale like sections. They have a pineapple smell when crushed. The twigs are leaf covered and are feather like. The seed cone is oval and 12-18 mm long. There are 8-10 scales with a small sharp point at the tip.

The leaves are used in medicine. There are 6 species of Thuja.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Canada it grows from sea level to 2000 m altitude. It grows in wetter places. It does best on moist alluvial sites. It is frost hardy. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Hobart Botanical gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Indonesia, North America, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The inner bark is edible. In spring it is eaten fresh or can be dried and ground into a powder. The wood is used during cooking to impart a flavour to fish. Caution: It should only be eaten in small amounts.

Edible parts

Inner bark

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or from cuttings. It can be grown by layering.

Trees can live to 800 years old.

Its other names

Local names

Cemara kipas besar, Orjaški klek

Synonyms

Thuja gigantea Nutt.; Thuja lobbii;